(E4) Kentucky 71, (W5) Mississippi 58
As usual, junior guard Jodie Meeks and freshman forward Patrick Patterson carried No. E4 Kentucky, and the Wildcats beat No. W5 Mississippi 71-58. Meeks finished with 25 points, and Patterson had 15 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. The Rebels had nearly twice as many turnovers as Kentucky, 18-10. Kentucky will play No. W1 LSU next. The Tigers beat Kentucky by three in Lexington two weeks ago.
(W3) Mississippi State 79, (E6) Georgia 60
No. W3 Mississippi State ensured that No. E6 Georgia would not pull off another miracle championship run like the team did last season by whipping Georgia 79-60 in the opening round. Sophomore forward Kodi Augustus led Mississippi State with 19 points, including three three-pointers. Mississippi State proved to be the aggressor, getting to the line 18 times to Georgia’s four free throw attempts.
(W4) Alabama 82, (E5) Vanderbilt 75
No. W4 Alabama used a 14-3 run early in the second half to put away No. E5 Vanderbilt in an 82-75 win. The Crimson Tide made all 12 free throw attempts in the final 63 seconds to help prevent a Vanderbilt comeback. Senior guard Alonzo Gee led Alabama with 25 points and six rebounds. The Crimson Tide will play No. E1 Tennessee, looking to avenge a three-point loss in Knoxville last weekend.
(E3) Florida 73, (W6) Arkansas 58
No. E3 Florida avoided a disastrous loss to No. W6 Arkansas with a 73-58 victory. Senior guard Walter Hodge had 16 points, and junior forward Dan Werner had 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Gators. Florida will play No. W2 Auburn in the quarterfinals. The Gators beat the Tigers by three in early January.
